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Click Here To PrintSpender Episode Guide
1 :01x01 - The Homecoming
Writer: Ian La Frenais
Director: Mary McMurray
Guest star: Colin McLachlan (Raymond Price), Peggy Gosschalk (Chairperson), Lisa Brooke (Pub Barmaid), Robert Oughton (Miami Kid), Peter Peverley (Waiter), George Welch (Chef), Maurice Iley (Andy Lowe), Tony Hodge (Kenny Rankin), Steve Cram (Himself), Denise Bryson (Waitress), Chrissy Edge (Cath), David Haddow (Sidekick), Mark Lloyd (Lenny), David Telfer (D.S. Colin Driver), Peter Jonfield (Chief Inspector Greaves), Steve Alder (Tony Fowler), Leonard Silver (Man in Hotel), Alice Wall (Lady Outside Station), Henry Wall (Man Outside Station)
D.S. Freddie Spender is an undercover Geordie cop but has been in London for the last 15 years. He and his partner D.S. Colin Driver are on an undercover operation which goes horribly wrong and Spender is transferred back to his native Newcastle, much to his disgust.
Upon his return, he must confront an ex-wife and kids, a murky past and some local villains. His boss, Supt. Yelland also has dislikes Spender, and thinks he's a pain in the arse.
Yelland assigns Spender to a case involving Raymond Price.
2 :01x02 - Half a Ton of Heartaches
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Roger Bamford
Guest star: Les Wilde (Police Sergeant (as Les Wild)), Mohammed Ashiq (Mr Patel Snr (as Ashiq)), Lisa Clarkson (Diane), David Napthine (Taplow), James Bate (Stonker), Ken Sharrock (Milne), Jim Killeen (Rigger), Bill Speed (Tommy), Christian Rodska (Superintendent George Ellis), Clive Russell (Albie Sloeman), Stuart McGugan (Alfie), Paul Palance (Oil Rig Worker)
After Yelland tells Spender that he wants him to stick around for a while, he goes undercover on the oil-rigs following the suspicious death of Mr. Patel, an oil-rig worker.
3 :01x03 - Double Jeopardy
Writer: Ian La Frenais
Director: Mary McMurray
Guest star: Siv Borg (Astrid Moreland), Jim Fowler (Dr Peter Elliott), Brian Lewis (Club Comedian), Kennedy Williams (Security Director), Martyn Waites (Irwin), Richard Makepeace (Beat Car Driver), Linda Huntley (Receptionist), Kris Watson (Eddy Hackett), Tim Stern (Lew), Tom Knight (Richard Parkin), David Whitaker (Detective Constable Terry Knowle), Frances Tomelty (Lorraine Hope), Joe Caffrey (Gene Hackett), Lloyd McGuire (Jessel), Paul Palance (Man in Restaurant)
Following a tip-off, Spender and Stick tail the glamorous Lorraine Hope. She's up to something, but what? Then Dan asks Spender to assist another undercover detective (Terry Knowle), who doesn't want his help.
4 :01x04 - The Candidate
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Richard Standeven
Guest star: Harry Herring (Albert Dollman), Amanda Redman (Bobby Montgomery), Helen Russell (Lady Hedley), Colin Sharp (Paul Clough), Joe Ging (Returning Officer), Richard Sands (Barman), Neville Wanless (News Announcer), John Larsen (Sir John Hedley), June Barry Green (Belle Topping), Norah Fulton (Old Lady (as Nora Fulton)), Robert Morgan (Andrew Hedley), Brian Hogg (Iain Rutherford), Tim Stone (Franklyn), Peter Marshall (Hepple), Dennis Lingard (Skillet), Brian Rapkin (Gardner)
Spender is assigned to look after a female Conservative politician named Bobby Montgomery. However, he is angered when Yelland teams up with him. However, Spender is injured when he is run down by a lorry whilst saving Bobby from being run over herself.
After his spell in the hospital, Yelland has Spender put on the sick and his car taken away. However, determined to do his job, he gets a job working for Iain Rutherford, the owner of the lorry which ran him over. Whilst driving for Rutherford he ends up being involved in a robbery!
5 :01x05 - Iced
Writer: Ian La Frenais
Director: Roger Bamford
Guest star: Judi Earl (Make up Girl (as Judy Earl)), Brian Longstaff (Customs Officer), Denise Bryson (Waitress), Gwen Doran (Cowan's Mum), Bob Smeaton (Vin), David Marcus (Bouncer), Art Davies (Superintendent Beale), Cathy Sandford (Clare), Richard Ireson (D.S. Barry Marks), Terry Joyce (Cowans), Michael Garner (Tony Leach), Julie Peasgood (Booney)
Spender's god-daughter's boyfriend is killed in a motorbike accident and he poses as an ex army buddy of a drug courier.
6 :01x06 - Dance Girl Dance
Writer: John Harvey
Director: Richard Standeven
Guest star: Kiran Hocking (Gloria), Jan Graveson (Kim), Tim Condren (Harry Jones), Debbie Andrews (Louise Patterson), Gillian Hope (Schoolgirl Dancer), Paula Ann Bland (Yvonne), Alex Hall (DHSS Official), Alan Renwick (Randy Markham), Elizabeth Morton (Rose), Mike Elliott (Palmer), Angela Bruce (Melanie), Arturo Venegas (Toni Juarex), Peter McGowan (Middleton), Paul Palance (Man in Dole Queue)
Spender poses as an ex-shipyard worker with a load of redundancy money wanting to a nightclub for local villian, Palmer. Spender also investigates a number of dissapearances.
7 :01x07 - Tough
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Mary McMurray
Guest star: Ronan Paterson (John Feeney), Jeffrey Knox (Informer (as Geoffrey Knox)), Jane Mackenzie (Monica Coates (as Jane McKenzie)), Dinny Powell (Boxer), Allen Mechen (Colin Proud), Geoffrey Hughes (Kenny Coates), Michelle Newell (Angela Balmer), Maurice Roëves (Mal Balmer), Thomas O. Jones (Tommy Balmer (as Tommy Owen Jones))
Stick is in court and Spender goes with him as support. After the hearing, Spender befriends Mal Balmer, an ex-boxer. As he gets to know Balmer, he realises that Mal is now a fist fighter.
8 :01x08 - Well, Well, Well
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Mary McMurray
Guest star: Scarlet O'hara (Gypsy Lee), Chrissy Edge (Cath), Roger Hempsall (Prosecuting Solicitor), Peter Van Gaver (Police Sergeant), Tony Leary (City Suit), James Carnell (Police Constable), Rod Woodruff (Louis Wilkinson), Steve Whyment (Denim), Nick Wilkinson (Pin Stripe), Neil Phillips (Mo Sample), Peter Jonfield (Chief Inspector Greaves), David Begg (Mick the Greek), Ronan Paterson (John Feeney), Barry Scott (Bridge Hotel Barman), Gary Catlin (Prison Officer (as Garry Catlin))
Spender travels to London after he is summoned back by Inspector Greaves. And when he returns he's faced with the task of clearing Stick's name after he is arrested on suspicion of murder.
9 :02x01 - Here We Go Again
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Alan Grint
Guest star: Peter Eke (Bell Boy), Kevin Grahame (Alderman), Pete Morrison (Janet's Bloke), Carol McGuigan (Janet), Alan Hockey (Cuthbertson), Phil Murray (Lou), Brendan P. Healy (Eric), Siv Borg (Astrid Moreland), Rod Culbertson (Denny), Mickey Hutton (Spud Tate)
Stick and Spud get into trouble.
10 :02x02 - Fly By Night
Writer: Ian La Frenais
Director: Alan Grint
Guest star: Phil Murray (Lou), Bill Snaithe (Roly), Vincent Keane (Whizz), Shaun Mechen (Les), Jack Mechan (Porky), Trevor Fox (Plain Clothes), Siv Borg (Astrid Moreland), Christopher Fairbank (Phelan), Geoff Lawson (Duffy), Dave Hill (Blakey), David Whitaker (Terry Knowle), Colette Stevenson (Tanya)
Spender is working undercover at a glass factory.
11 :02x03 - Fee
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Ian Knox
Guest star: Ben Cauthen (Cardigan), John Bach (Doorman), Caspar Berry (Buckskin), Mickey Hutton (Spud), Melanie Hill (Sue Styles), Ian Cullen (Kelley), Nigel Terry (McDonna), Julie Graham (Jody), Paul Stacey (Fee), Julia Tobin (Miss Fitsimmons), Phil Murray (Lou)
A friend of Keith's is in trouble with a drug dealer Mick McDonna.
12 :02x04 - Family Business
Writer: Ian La Frenais
Director: Ian Knox
Guest star: Danny McCoy (Gus), Sam Blue (Scooter), Veronica Twidle (Mrs Vourne), Craig Grieveson (Carl), Michael Nicholson (Sandy Duncan), Ralph Watson (Derek Addy), Andy Mulligan (Cyril), Lizzie McKenzie (Mabel), Brendan P. Healy (Eric), Donald McBride (Robbie), John Bowler (Vourne)
Spender visits his Aunt Mabel.
13 :02x05 - The Golden Striker
Writer: Kenneth Ladd
Director: Roger Bamford
Guest star: Gavin Kitchen (Baxter), James Garbutt (George), Claire Wilkes (Alison), Ray Stubbs (Walter), David Whitaker (Terry Knowle), Derek Walmsley (Richard Cowell), Stephen Thirkeld (Kenny Cooper), Val McLane (Mrs Parkinson), John Woodvine (Berry), David Howey (Vincent), Mickey Hutton (Spud)
Spender tries to track down a Newcastle United foottballer, Kenny Cooper.
14 :02x06 - At the End of the Day
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Roger Bamford
Guest star: Antony Cable (Ratcliffe), Andrew Golightly (Long Hair), Mark Southworth (Tattoo), Sean Gorman (Vic), Jacqueline Phillips (Care Assistant), Gillian Conroy (Squash Club Receptionist), Emma Babbington (Telesales Girl), Brian Martin (Juror), Margaret Jackman (Molly), David Nellist (Tug), Michael Yeaman (Bleach Blonde), Mickey Hutton (Spud), Norah Fulton (Peggy), Brendan P. Healy (Eric), James Garbutt (George Ellis), Jean Heywood (Sarah Ellis), Andrew Fletcher (Blackburn (as Andy Fletcher)), Paul Brennen (Eddie Oxnard), John Morton (Clerk of the Court)
Spender starts to become disillusioned.
15 :03x01 - The More Things Change
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Ian Knox
Guest star: Pauline Melville (Judge), Robert McAulay (Victor), Sharon Consterdine (Middle-Aged Woman), Hazel Day (Waitress), Karen Banning (WPC), Maxie (Sandy's Husband), Dallas Campbell (Young College Type), Struan Rodger (Peter The Hair), Eli Woods (Fat Syd), Lena Headey (Emily), Mickey Hutton (Spud Tate), Brendan P. Healy (Eric), Elizabeth Edmonds (Eileen), Philippa Wilson (Sandy), Ewan Stewart (Man From The Dene)
Spender is dating a new girlfriend, called Sandy.
Whilst in the park with Laura and Kate, Spender comes across a dangerous rapist, he gives chase but loses him.
Keith reveals to Spender that he is being bootlegged by a guy at the train station. Spender promises to investigate for him.
Later, whilst in the same place that the rapes have been taking place, an undercover officer is about to be attacked, however, Spender intervenes and gives chase. He ends up chasing a train down the track!
Meanwhile, Frances tells Spender that she's going to marry Eric and they both agree to sign the divorce papers.
Stick takes Eileen to dinner to celebrate his deal. He also invites Spender and Sandy and Keith and Emily. Sandy's Husband turns up and informs Spender that he's dating his wife!
16 :03x02 - Kid
Writer: Val McLane
Director: Paul Raphael
Guest star: Pat Healy (Albert (as Patrick Healy)), Malcolm Terris (Lord Mayor), Kay Wright (Peggy), Dale Meeks (Kid #1), David Oliver (Kid#2), McKenzie Fraser (Concert Chairman), Mike Rossi (Eddie Jobes), Jennifer Brewis (Ward Sister), Paul Robert Coyle (Nipper Knox (as Robert Coyle)), Lucy Parker (Penny), Rachel Shannon (Pick), Colin McCormack (Bob Bamford), Belinda Chapman (Irene Bamford), Rodney Bewes (Norman Ellerson), Garry Cooper (Terry Armstrong), Jack Deam (Willie), Bobby Pattinson (Frank Nesbitt), Ian Redford (Aiden McCoy), Hywel Berry (Jason Bamford)
Dan isn't getting much sleep as he is wanting to win first prize for his flowers, so he and his friend are doing shifts on keeping guard!
Spender takes Laura and Kate out for the day. Whilst out on the hills Kate witnesses an attempted murder. A young boy called Jason Bamford is pushed off a cliff.
Spender sends Stick out looking for the boy's attackers. He comes across a doss-house where free meals are being handed out. However, nobody will reveal anything about Jason Bamford, who has run away from home.
17 :03x03 - Puck
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Suri Krishnamma
Guest star: Tom Bell (Tommy Thornton), Brian Walsh (Reivers Fan), Gary Black (Paul Thornton), Steven Black (Bobby Spence), Lee Davis (Bobby Downes), Lyn Douglas (Middle-Aged Woman), Denny Ferguson (Gordon Hewlett), Bill Fellows (Eddie), Paul Palance (Bryson (as Paul Pallance)), Laurie Killing (Janet Thornton), Michael Vartan (Paul Ducheyne), John Benfield (Ernie Peters), Thomas Craig (Jim Harris), David Hartley (Don Campbell)
Spender digs up some dirt on Tommy Thornton.
18 :03x04 - Bad Company
Writer: Stan Hey
Director: Suri Krishnamma
Guest star: Ian McElhinney (Flynn), David McEwan (Assistant Registrar), Dennis McIntosh (Survelliance Officer), Elizabeth Kelly (Elderly Lady), Nigel Anthony (Chief Constable), Glyn Grain (Terry Gifford), Peter Jonfield (Chief Inspector Greaves), Elizabeth Edmonds (Eileen), Laurie Killing (Janet Thornton), Brendan P. Healy (Eric)
Spender's affair with Janet Thornton deepens.
19 :03x05 - Best Friends
Writer: Niall Leonard
Director: Ian Knox
Guest star: John McArdle (Sam Harper), Peggy Beck (Elderly Lady), Beth Goddard (Sally Prince), David Quilter (Detective Chief Superintendent Morton), Kevin O'Keefe (Victim), David MacCreedy (Brian the Mechanic), Anthony Byrne (Steve the Car Thief), Vito Hind (Reporter No1), Philip Adroit (Reporter No2), Terrence Halliday (Chippie), David Marriner (Four Cs), Jeff Sharp (Ed The Ted (as Jeffrey Sharp)), Jeffrey Knox (Rowley), David Whitaker (D.C. Terry Knowle), Niall Leonard (Grenville), Trevor Fox (Car Hire Attendant), Chris Armstrong (Knoboot), Ralph Ineson (Alex), Richard Bremner (Cov Mick), Elizabeth Edmonds (Eileen), Lena Headey (Emily)
Spender is assigned to investigate a series of car thefts.
20 :03x06 - Retreat
Writer: Stan Hey
Director: Ian Knox
Guest star: Timothy Spall (Robert Cunningham), David Marriner (Four Cs), Dickon Tyrrell (Second Reporter), Mike Milligan (First Reporter), John Warnaby (Barrister), Carl Chase (Dennis the Monk), Paul Bentall (Brian the Monk), Paul Broughton (Cole), Tim Kirby (Dexter), Andrew Tansey (Prison Officer Faulk), Antony Carrick (Giles Embleton), Caroline Bliss (Pamela Clive), Ian Knox (Tony the Monk), Laurie Killing (Janet Thornton), Malcolm Terris (Lord Mayor), Chris Armstrong (Knoboot), Sarah McLane (Book Shop Assistant), John McGlynn (Ken Moran), Elizabeth Edmonds (Eileen), Gary Black (Paul Thornton)
A local businessman and property developer is in Spender's sights.
21 :03x07 - The French Collection
Writer: Jimmy Nail
Director: Matt Forrest
Guest star: Laurie Killing (Janet Thornton), Jean-Francois Balmer (Inspector Calliere), Jerome Meadows (Plouvier), Michel Julienne (Latz), Anne Schofield (Mrs Hewitt), Sylvain Yadan (Waiter), Marie Odile Fourmont (Nun), Paul Jennings (Stunt Double), Malcolm Freeman (Customs Officer), Mike Sarne (Waahl), Tom Bell (Tommy Thornton), Ruth Harford (Stewardess), Phillippe Smolikowski (Brocard), Christian Mulot (Le Valle), Valerie Steffen (Alyette), Pippa Vickers (Check In Lady), Seamus O'Neill (Kenton), Adam Bareham (Tyce), Gary Black (Paul Thornton (Archive Footage))
Spender is called to Gillespie's office and is informed that he is to be made responsible for a criminal being escorted from France back to the UK. Spender is disgusted and isn't happy that he is having to abandon the case he is currently working on. However, his mood changes when Gillespie tells him that the criminal is Tommy Thornton.
Spender arrives in Marseille, and heads for the cop shop. He handcuffs himself to Thornton and they head for the airport, driven by Latz and Brocard. Unbeknown to Spender, they are planning an accident so they can fake Thornton's death and he can get away. However, it all goes wrong and Latz is killed and Spender is injured.
Three days later, Spender wakes up and discovers Stick by his bedside, Stick tells him that Thornton is dead. However, Spender is adament that Thornton is alive as he was handcuffed to him when the accident happened. Once he recovers, they head for the airport. But, Spender decides he has to find out what happened, and where Thornton is, so he jumps out of a fire exit and heads back to Marseille, followed by Stick.
They end up in a grotty "B'n'B", and unknown to them that the man who runs it informs Brocard that Spender is there and he sends two men to kill him. Stick comes to the rescue, and saves Spender's live. They decide to make a hasty exit before the French cops arrive.
Spender is annoyed because he can't find out anything about the local villians, because Stick doesn't know anything. However, it turns out he knows a lady and they head for hers. Spender tells them to follow Brocard on the girl's motorbike and see what he's up to. Stick follows him to a mansion where he witnesses Brocard meeting Thornton!